Next Steps...

Posted on Thu Jun 24th, 2021 @ 5:39am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]
Edited on on Mon Jun 28th, 2021 @ 1:22pm

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Black Watch, Lily's cabin
Timeline: MD 13 - Middle of the day
2347 words - 4.7 OF Standard Post Measure

It had been a day since the incident down on the planet, but so far, there seemed to be no blowback concerning the disappearance of Heldora, her ship, or the destruction of the two fighters that attack Mattis and Phoenix as they made their escape. Following Phoenix's plea, Mattias had not told anyone what had happened. He had even gone so far as to constantly think about the mission when he was near Kara, so she didn't get suspicious. They hadn't divided the treasure that was contained inside the shuttle either.

Laying together in her bed, Mattias was absent-mindedly tracing faint designs on the Phoenix's bare back, as she lay snuggled up against his left side.

"Hmmm what has your mind so busy?" Phoenix asked drowsily as she lay there.

Glancing down at her, he grinned softly, then turned his eyes back to the bulkhead on the other side of the compartment. "I'm still thinking about the attack. Well, that and a shuttle with a shit load of wealth aboard that we haven't told the crew about yet. I keep trying to figure out how to do that, and not get them involved in this mess that your father and brother started."

"Hey that bounty has been on my head for years, they increased it after Miran came to live with me. Had a bounty hunter try to collect once. Didnt work so well. I avoid Erisian space as best I can. Kyian and I came to an understanding and he has by now gotten the family to safety." Phoenix replied.

"You never told me a bounty hunter got to you!" He said, concern and anger started to fill his tone. "Did he hurt you?!"

"No. He didn't. He never got the chance. I was fine. In fact he must have changed his mind, cause he left shortly after he arrived. That and security kept him away from me."

This calmed Mattias some, the savage, protective beast that he was, deep inside, calming slightly. "Well, regardless, we still need to figure out what we are going to do. Especially with the contents of the shuttle."

"Part of me wants to do the right thing. Return stolen property and such." She rolled to face him in their bed. "The other? Keep it and divide it."

Adjusting his hold on her as she moved to face him, Mattias pursed his lips in thought. "Well, while I agree that the right thing to do would be to return the items, the problem there is, to whom? There is no form of law enforcement on that planet, so who would we go to." He got quiet for a few beats. Then, "Perhaps our benevolent provider could figure something out? I know you haven't contacted him about this yet. It's just that, I'm not sure how much longer I can keep Kara out of my thoughts. The bond she and I have is so tight, she doesn't even need to force her way in. It's like she can just see what's bothering me. I've been keeping a steady stream of thoughts about the mission going through my head whenever she's near. But, sooner or later, she's gonna figure out that something's wrong."

"I will do it at my check in. He knows that there was a risk of my being recognised. It just means he will have to have my holo double be seen in prison."

"So long as you're safe, Phee. That's all that really concerns me. Hell, my face can be out there fully, all that will be found on me is that I'm a former Starfleet Marine Captain, who became disgruntled following a mission somewhere in the Gamma Quadrant, who ultimately left the service under a dis-honorable discharge." He looked back into her eyes as he continued. "It was in the info packet that was left for me, along with my gear, at the safe house that I was transported to. So, for all intents and purposes, back in the real world, I don't really matter all that much."

"You do to me" Phoenix said softly. "More than I can say. So why do you have a bounty on your head?"

Turning his eyes back to gaze into hers, Mattias leaned down and kissed her deeply, forgetting about the world for a few precious beats. Then, after he leaned back, he replied. "Dunno. Until Heldora said it, I had no idea there was one. Remember, she said that your father put one on the both of us. I can only imagine mine was for freeing you from that whipping post." He looked back down into her eyes again. "Which I would do again, if given the opportunity to do so. Only this time, I'd stop them before the first lash scarred your beautiful skin."

"They would have killed you outright." She said softly. "But I learned never to take the blame for someone else any more."

Nodding silently, he knew that she was right. Had he stepped forward sooner, there was a very strong possibility that he would have been killed. Then he never would have met the wonderful woman in his arms. Let alone fall deeply in love with her, and begin an affair that would have brought them to where they were, right now. "I wish they would just leave you alone. You left the planet. What more do they need? I mean, it isn't like you could take the throne from them. Though, I have no doubts that you'd be an excellent queen. If only Erisia wasn't so backward, in regards to women."

"One day maybe that will change, but most likely not in my lifetime. Not even Miran wants the throne. Kyian has started looking at life beyond our upbringing, my mother is taking her time with the changes but is getting there, slowly."

"Then what is it, simple male pride? They feel slighted that you slapped them in the face with your speech, then have members of the family leave to be with you? Well, they need to pull up their fucking shorts and stop dragging their nuts on the ground! You did the honorable thing for your dipshit brother. Then he turned around and spit in your eye first. Both he, and your father, can go scratch for all I care. But, and I swear this to you now, Phee, if the bounty that they put on your head ends up getting you hurt, or....." He couldn't voice the word dead. "So help me, I will make them pay, even if it takes my life to do so!"

"They are Male Erisians, and Royalty at that. It's their way. And do not worry, I am not going to be killed by them." She smiled.

Looking back down at her, seeing her smile that was his and his alone, instantly calmed him. "Well," he warned her playfully. "You better not. I will be very angry at you if they do."

"Ohh scared. Not." she laughed and pulled the covers up. "We will go through the shuttle tomorrow. Jaxon and Xavier have been looking around it."

"Oh, I'll scare ya." He giggled evilly. He then started to tickle her ferociously.

Laughing she squirmed and wriggled. She was laughing when her comm went off. Sighing she broke off and pouted. "I better get that."

Sighing, Mattias jokingly said, "If this is what it'll be like on Elysium, maybe we should just take the twins and run away!"

"Its worse." She smiled and rolled out of bed.

Mattias growled playfully and then grinned, as he watched Phoenix's bare bottom sway as she moved. "Well, if the view is this nice, I'll have no complaints."

She grabbed a robe, shrugged it on and sat at the desk. She took the time to implement filters and then opened the comm channel.

The female that appeared was way younger than her sister. "Miran" Phoenix said.

"Pene." The teenager replied. "How are you?"

"Good. Are you safe?"

"Yes, Kyian and I got us to the safe house without issue. Harmony contacted us. Ambassador Jones is looking for us and has been asking for you release and extradition. "

"Jones has no power to do that."Phoenix said

"He is making noise. So far he is being unsuccessful but it could change."

Phoenix nodded. "We are close to completing this. Only a few more weeks."

"I am uploading the newest vid of the twins for you Pene. Stay safe."

"You too little sister"

And the comm closed.

Hearing the call, and realizing the seriousness of it, Mattias quickly and quietly got out of the bed and, grabbing his own robe, covered himself and moved up behind where Phoenix was sitting. He gently laid his hands on her shoulders.

"Hey" she said as she downloaded the video and other information.

"You're gonna hold them again, Phee. Soon, all of this will be done, and you'll be home with your babies." He spoke in a soft, loving voice, wanting nothing more than to take the pain the woman he loves is feeling away from her, so that she can be fully happy again.

"They are safe. That's all I can ask for. The safe house is well hidden and they will be fine there." She took a breath. "Ambassador Jones on the other hand..."

"Ambassador Jones is a fucking blowhard. He always has been. The only think he considers is himself. Itd probably why he's still on Erisia. Fits in well with you father and brothers." He growled angrily. "I knew I should have cold clocked him when I had the chance. If he causes any harm to come to the twins, your mother or sister, so help me..."

"Thing is, I don't think he has the stomach to really go to the lengths they will want him to." She sighed. "Children born out of wedlock are killed on my world"

"Over my dead fucking body will any of those backwards thinking...." he stopped himself. "I'm sorry, Phee. I know they are your father and brother. I have no right to say anything about them. But, honey, I will kill anyone who comes knocking on that door, looking to harm even a single hair on the twin's heads!"

She nodded. "Its why I made sure they had a bolt hole. Mother is not impressed but she won't blab and Kyian never subscribed to that level of our worlds culture. "

Still growling quietly as he started to pace, he stopped and suggested, "Let me make a call. I've got a few black ops Marines I could call in, they could discreetly watch over, wherever Miran and the twins are! No one would even know they were there! My guys are that good!" Even though he and Phoenix weren't married, and the twins weren't his, Mattias had an extremely powerful urge to protect them.

She shook her head. "No its ok. They are safe. Lets not draw attention to their location. "

Sighing, Mattias knew that she was right. No plan was ever perfect. "Okay, but, I am going to put a call out to a freighter captain I know. He was the helmsman on the Silver Linings. He does runs in and out of the Sol system constantly. Plus, he's a good smuggler, and family. He's got a fast, tough ship. Not as strong as the Elysium, but, enough. You ever need a fast transport, he's your guy."

"Hopefully we wont need it." She stood up.

Nodding, he started to calm some. Pointing to the screen, he asked, "Can..can I watch the video of the twins with you..or would you rather be alone?"

"I'd.. i'd like the company thanks. It won't be them doing much, they are only 2 months old."

Shrugging slightly, Mattias's eyes softened. "They don't have to..to do anything. Just them bring there, looking cute and beautiful."

She uploaded the feed and there was two infants laying on a warm blanket on a bed. Both were awake and kicking their feet and waving their hands. "Liam and Lizzie." She said softly. "Their nicknames until they grow into their full names."

Mattias was quiet for a few beats, just looking at perfection. Moving to sit in the chair. He gently pulled Phoenix to sit in his lap.

She curled into him and stared at the screen. "I have to put them from my mind everyday." She whispered. "It's the only thing I could kill this protocol for doing."

Holding her close to him, Mattias stared at the screen. He was memorizing every little bit of the twins that he could see. "They're the reason for the Protocol, sweetheart." He said softly. We're doing this to make their world safer."

"I keep telling myself that" She said softly. "Believe me I do."

Looking up at Phoenix's face, Mattias gently move a few stray strands from her face. "They're so beautiful. Just like their mother. Thank you for sharing this with me."

"You're welcome love" She said softly. "Shall we go back to bed now?"

Nodding slowly, eye never leaving hers. "Yes, please." He waited for her to get up, then got up and followed her back to bed, when they got back to the bed, he turned her to face him. "What can I do for you, my love?"

"Just hold me for tonight. I just need that" she said softly. "I love you Mattias"

Nodding slowly, he replied. "Of course, sweetheart." He pulled her into a warm, loving embrace. "I love you, Phoenix."

He then removed his robe and climbed back into bed, holding the covers back so she could join him.

Dropping her own robe she slid into the bed and cuddled into his side and clung to him.

Mattias held her close to him. He didn't try to start anything, knowing this is what she wanted. "Soon, my love. You'll be back with your babies soon."

She let him hold her and lull her to sleep.

It took Mattias a while longer, but finally, he drifted off as well.